Test_Lab series

Test_Lab is a public event series organized by V2_ that provides an informal setting for the presentation, demonstration, testing, and discussion of artistic research and development.

Since 2006, V2_ has been organizing a public program under the name Test_Lab. The target group consists of artists, scientists, technicians, theorists and students carrying out work at the cutting edge of technology, society and art.

Although each edition has a specific theme, Test_Labs have a low entry threshold and are therefore always accessible for a wide audience of interested people. New developments in the field of artistic research and development are demonstrated, tested, presented and discussed at the Test_Labs. The programs offer a broad context for new work and work in development, bringing together specialists from a wide range of scientific and artistic disciplines, young creators, students, and theorists in an informal setting. In each individual Test_Lab program, a different subject is tackled through a constantly changing informal format.

Because input and feedback from experts, colleagues and potential users/audience members is crucial in the development process of art, audience participation is an important component of these programs. Thus Test_Lab offers participating artists, scientists, technicians, theorists and students a unique informal, art-oriented test environment (usually absent in the studio or laboratory), and the always-present hands-on elements mean no visitor leaves without trying, experiencing, making or testing something new. At Test_Lab, visitors transform into participants, and participants into their own audience. In a playful manner, each edition of Test_Lab offers a glimpse behind the scenes of artistic research and development.

The third Test_Lab of 2017 takes the so-called 'Function Creep' as its main theme. Function Creep: 'the gradual widening of the use of a technology or system beyond the purpose for which it was originally intended.'

Test_Lab: Summer Sessions 2017 presents the outcomes of this year's Summer Sessions residencies. The projects will be demonstrated live and the audience will be invited to ‘test’ the artworks hands-on.

Test_Lab: Summer Sessions 2016 presents the outcomes of this year's Summer Sessions residencies. The projects will be demonstrated live and the audience will be invited to ‘test’ the artworks hands-on.

Test_Lab: Summer Sessions 2015 presents the outcomes of this year's Summer Sessions residencies. The projects will be demonstrated live and the audience will be invited to ‘test’ the artworks hands-on.

Test_Lab: Summer Sessions 2014 presents the outcomes of this year's Summer Sessions residencies. Six projects will be demonstrated live and the audience will be invited to ‘test’ the artworks hands-on.

V2_ presents the 2014 graduation edition of Test_Lab – a special evening showcasing a selection of installations, demonstrations, performances, prototypes and experiments by a new generation of artists and designers graduating this year from ...

V2_ and The New Institute present this year’s graduation edition of Test_Lab – a special evening showcasing a selection of installations, demonstrations, performances, prototypes and experiments by a new generation of artists and designers ...

This edition of Test_Lab, marking the end of V2_’s week-long eTextile Sweatshop, will demonstrate how easing access to facilities and promoting the sharing of skills can stimulate innovation and good practice in the arts.

At the end of every academic year, Test_Lab takes a close look at a selection of outstanding art and design work created by young artists and designers graduating across Europe. Celebrate with us the graduation of six fresh media artists!

Test_Lab: Who Wants to Be…? is a social experiment in the form of a raucous game show developed by art collective The People Speak. All visitors chip in 10 EUR in advance to enter the game, after which they brainstorm, argue, and vote on how to ...